"This weekend we're going to have a little tradition here in Norwalk, an oyster fest," he said. "I've been hearing rumblings from people: some of the key people that do this every year may not be doing it next year, so we don't know what will happen. Who knows? This might be our last one."

"That is absolutely not true," said Irene Dixon, president of the Seaport Association, which she said is "so in the black."

Both Toni and Dixon said it's a Norwalk tradition for people to say the oyster festival will be the last one. "It's really disheartening to hear comments like this when we have so many volunteers who are really so dedicated to making this happen," Dixon said.

"The last time I was asked that by a Norwalk Hour reporter I said, 'Don't ask me, ask the 20,000 people that are on the field.' That's my response," Toni said. "The festival will go on for as long as we can. ... God willing, we'd like to do it for another 35 [years]."

Toni doesn't consider himself indispensable. "Of course somebody would step in. I took over from a wonderful person that ran it for many years, Diane Mulvehill, who passed away this year."

The festival is a community event, Dixon said, through which 20 nonprofits raise funds by participating, from St. Ann Club raising money for college scholarships to the high school marching bands collecting the garbage. "We're just an avenue for all these community organizations," she said. "It's just phenomenal. I think it's the best example of buying local."

Comments (5)

The Hour had a poll and if I remember correctly 90% said they were not going to the Oyster Festival this year. I stopped going years ago after being harassed by drunk men on a sunny afternoon while there with my young son..But my teenager is going tonight for the first time. Hope it will be a safe journey..

Maybe he is so insecure he will say anything for attention ? I don't know anything about his background, but he needs to calm down a little. Even people who are not big fans have no doubt he means well. He could get so much more accomplished if he stopped to think before shooting off his mouth.

Yes, he's an embarrassment. He bullies people and doesn't play well with others. This is all very well known, however nobody seems to be able to step up and beat him in an election. That could be the result of a very good political machine behind him, or the lack of a viable opponent.
Like him or not, we're stuck with him until someone better comes along.

Can this guy please leave the board, I'm sure his intentions are good, but geez he can't get his foot out of his mouth. Clearly he likes to be the center of attention, maybe he can get a job in show business, but he's embarrassing the community.